Active Obedience: Embracing God's Call to Action
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the theme of obedience as part of our ongoing series, "Go! The Next 100 Years." We began by emphasizing the importance of action in our faith, rooted in the Great Commission from Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus commands us to "go" and make disciples, which is a call to active obedience. We explored the blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28, highlighting that obedience to God brings blessings, while disobedience leads to curses. This dichotomy underscores the importance of following God's commandments not out of fear, but out of love and gratitude for His salvation.
We discussed the concept of obedience, defining it as submitting to God's authority and aligning our actions with His will. Obedience should stem from a recognition of God's grace and the freedom we have in Christ. We are motivated to obey because of the immense love God has shown us, and our desire to reciprocate that love. John 14:21-23 reminds us that loving God means keeping His commandments, and in doing so, we experience a deeper relationship with Him.
To obey God, we must first seek Him earnestly. Hebrews 11:6 teaches that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. This involves daily intentionality in seeking His will and spending time in His presence. Additionally, knowing God's Word is crucial. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 emphasizes that all Scripture is inspired by God and equips us for every good work. Trusting in God's wisdom, as Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, is another key aspect of obedience.
We also looked at the life of William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, as an example of steadfast obedience. His commitment to not working on Sundays, despite the personal cost, led to a significant ministry that impacted countless lives. This story illustrates that obedience in small matters can lead to greater responsibilities and blessings.
Finally, we reflected on the legacy of obedience within our own church, Southlake, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The church's history is a testament to the faithfulness of its members who followed God's calling. As we look to the future, we are reminded that our continued impact depends on our collective obedience to God's will.
### Key Takeaways
1. Obedience Begins with the Great Commission: Jesus' command to "go" in Matthew 28:18-20 is a call to active obedience. This command encapsulates His entire ministry and teachings, urging us to take action and make disciples. Our faith is not meant to be passive; it requires us to step out and fulfill God's mission. [02:34]
2. Blessings and Curses of Obedience: Deuteronomy 28 outlines the blessings that come with obedience and the curses that follow disobedience. This passage teaches us that God's commands are not arbitrary but are designed for our well-being. Obedience brings us into alignment with God's will, resulting in blessings, while disobedience leads to negative consequences. [05:21]
3. Motivation for Obedience: Our obedience should be motivated by gratitude for God's grace and love. John 14:21-23 emphasizes that loving God means keeping His commandments. This love-driven obedience deepens our relationship with God and allows us to experience His presence more fully. [16:20]
4. Seeking God Daily: To obey God, we must seek Him earnestly every day. Hebrews 11:6 teaches that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. This involves setting aside time to be still, listen, and align our actions with His will. Daily seeking God helps us to understand and follow His commands more faithfully. [18:19]
5. Legacy of Obedience: The story of William Booth and the history of our church, Southlake, illustrate the profound impact of obedience. Booth's commitment to not working on Sundays led to the founding of The Salvation Army, a ministry that has touched countless lives. Similarly, our church's 100-year legacy is built on the obedience of its members. This reminds us that small acts of obedience can lead to significant, long-lasting impact. [37:11]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:39] - Introduction to the Series
[02:34] - The Great Commission
[03:16] - Go in Obedience
[04:05] - Blessings of Obedience
[05:21] - Curses of Disobedience
[06:37] - God's Purpose for Israel
[08:14] - The Fertile Crescent
[09:30] - Jesus Christ Rescued Us
[10:10] - Definition of Obedience
[12:00] - Motivation for Obedience
[14:33] - Freedom in Faith
[16:03] - Love and Obedience
[18:19] - Seeking God
[21:37] - Knowing God's Word
[23:55] - Trusting God's Ways
[26:35] - Following Jesus as His Disciple
[29:08] - Disobedience and Its Consequences
[32:07] - Seeking God's Will
[33:25] - Story of William Booth
[37:11] - Legacy of Obedience
[43:01] - Celebrating 100 Years
[43:49] - Call to Obedience
[44:03] - Closing Worship and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:18-20: "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'"
2. Deuteronomy 28:1-2: "Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God."
3. John 14:21-23: "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him. Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What command does Jesus give in Matthew 28:18-20, and what promise does He make at the end of this passage?
2. According to Deuteronomy 28:1-2, what are the conditions for receiving God's blessings?
3. In John 14:21-23, what is the relationship between love and obedience as described by Jesus?
4. How did William Booth's commitment to not working on Sundays demonstrate his obedience to God? [35:19]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 encapsulate Jesus' entire ministry and teachings? [02:34]
2. What does the contrast between blessings and curses in Deuteronomy 28 teach us about the nature of God's commandments? [05:21]
3. How does John 14:21-23 deepen our understanding of the connection between love for God and obedience to His commandments? [16:20]
4. What can we learn from William Booth's story about the importance of small acts of obedience leading to greater responsibilities and blessings? [37:11]
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the Great Commission, how can you actively participate in making disciples in your daily life? What specific steps can you take this week? [02:34]
2. Deuteronomy 28 highlights the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. Can you identify an area in your life where you need to align more closely with God's commandments? What changes will you make? [05:21]
3. John 14:21-23 speaks about the relationship between love and obedience. How can you show your love for God through obedience in a specific area of your life this week? [16:20]
4. Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes seeking God earnestly. What practical steps can you take to seek God more diligently each day? How will you incorporate this into your daily routine? [18:19]
5. William Booth's story shows the impact of steadfast obedience. Is there a small act of obedience you feel God is calling you to that you have been hesitant to follow? How can you take that step this week? [37:11]
6. Reflecting on the legacy of obedience at Southlake, how can you contribute to the church's future impact through your own acts of obedience? What specific actions will you take? [43:01]
7. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises us to trust in God's wisdom. Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust God more fully? How will you practice this trust in the coming days? [23:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Active Obedience in the Great Commission
Jesus' command to "go" in Matthew 28:18-20 is a call to active obedience. This command encapsulates His entire ministry and teachings, urging us to take action and make disciples. Our faith is not meant to be passive; it requires us to step out and fulfill God's mission. The Great Commission is not just a suggestion but a directive that calls for our active participation in spreading the Gospel. By obeying this command, we align ourselves with God's purpose and become instruments of His love and grace in the world. [02:34]
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV): "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can share the Gospel with this week? How can you take a step of faith to actively obey the Great Commission today?
Day 2: The Consequences of Obedience and Disobedience
Deuteronomy 28 outlines the blessings that come with obedience and the curses that follow disobedience. This passage teaches us that God's commands are not arbitrary but are designed for our well-being. Obedience brings us into alignment with God's will, resulting in blessings, while disobedience leads to negative consequences. Understanding this dichotomy helps us to see the importance of following God's commandments not out of fear, but out of love and gratitude for His salvation. [05:21]
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (ESV): "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of disobedience. How can you realign your actions with God's will to experience His blessings?
Day 3: Love-Driven Obedience
Our obedience should be motivated by gratitude for God's grace and love. John 14:21-23 emphasizes that loving God means keeping His commandments. This love-driven obedience deepens our relationship with God and allows us to experience His presence more fully. When we obey out of love, we are not just following rules but are engaging in a meaningful relationship with our Creator. This kind of obedience transforms our lives and brings us closer to God. [16:20]
John 14:21-23 (ESV): "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, 'Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?' Jesus answered him, 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you show your love for God through obedience today? How does this deepen your relationship with Him?
Day 4: Diligently Seeking God
To obey God, we must seek Him earnestly every day. Hebrews 11:6 teaches that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. This involves setting aside time to be still, listen, and align our actions with His will. Daily seeking God helps us to understand and follow His commands more faithfully. It is through this intentional pursuit that we grow in our faith and become more attuned to God's voice and direction in our lives. [18:19]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Reflection: What specific time each day can you dedicate to seeking God? How can you make this a consistent practice in your life?
Day 5: The Impact of Obedience
The story of William Booth and the history of our church, Southlake, illustrate the profound impact of obedience. Booth's commitment to not working on Sundays led to the founding of The Salvation Army, a ministry that has touched countless lives. Similarly, our church's 100-year legacy is built on the obedience of its members. This reminds us that small acts of obedience can lead to significant, long-lasting impact. Our continued impact depends on our collective obedience to God's will. [37:11]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: What small act of obedience can you commit to today that could have a lasting impact? How can you encourage others in your community to do the same?
Quotes
1. "That what we're teaching you is a foundation to build a faith that goes, that does something. We're never meant to sit idly in the pews. We are meant to take action. It all begins with a simple word, go. It comes from the Great Commission." [01:39] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We should be motivated to obey God because we recognize the grace we have been given. When Paul writes to the church in Corinth, he says, I thank my God, always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and in all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you." [12:00] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We obey God because we did not deserve the grace He has given us, which not only results in our salvation, but in the receiving of spiritual gifts, an eternal home, and a fellowship with our Savior. Think about that. We get to have a relationship with our Savior, a personal, intimate relationship. How beautiful is that?" [13:47] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We have the freedom to say I don't believe any of this. I'm not going to do it. I don't have to. God didn't design us as robots, and he didn't program us. Oh, well, Joyce, when I tell you you got to do this, type it in. God didn't do that. Instead, he said, you're my children, and I want you to be in a relationship with me, and I want you to obey me because I love you, and I'm giving you an eternal home." [15:19] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We obey God because we truly love Him and we seek a deep, intimate relationship with Him because of all that He has done for us. So our question then becomes this morning, how do we obey God? What are we to do? And I'm going to start from a simple place, a simple answer. We seek Him. If you want to obey God, you have to seek God. There's no magic formula here." [17:57] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We learn how to be obedient when we seek God by simply doing it each and every day. We intentionally cut time out of our day where we can be still, seek Him, and listen for a response. So many people miss this. I've talked about this many times before. But if you want an important rhythm of life, this is it. Seek God." [19:06] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We obey God by trusting that His ways are the best for us. I want to read from Proverbs 3. If you haven't read Proverbs or maybe you haven't read in a while, go back and read Proverbs. I told somebody this once and it was like a light bulb moment. I said, you know, if you read one Proverb a day for a month, you'll read through the book of Proverbs and you can read the book of Proverbs every month, one a day." [23:55] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We disobey God when we refuse to do what he has created, gifted, trained us and called us to do. That's disobedience. Our refusal to be open to his will can bring misery and regret to our lives. We should never fail to recognize that on our own we do not have the significant insight into our futures. The best that we can do is to make choices based off of what may or may not happen in the future." [31:07] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "If we're not obedient in the little things we're never going to be obedient in the big things. What William wanted to do was to be obedient in God and not work on Sunday. That's all. And guess what? William was obedient. God said okay you did that let me give you something else. Okay that's good. Let me give you something else. Eventually God gave him the Salvation Army." [39:39] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If we're going to be a church for the region for the next 100 years it will only happen because obedient Christians follow the calling God has placed upon them. Not just the pastors. I'm talking about the faithful Christians in the pews. The children of God. The saints as Paul says. Who trust in their heavenly Father. My question to you this morning is are you obedient to God?" [43:11] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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